In an era marked by the rise of autocratic governance and deepening polarization in democratic societies, the engagement of (sub-)national parliaments and international parliamentary institutions (IPIs) in upholding democratic norms and fundamental rights worldwide has never been more crucial. This panel examines how the diplomatic activities of parliaments at international and multilateral levels contribute to preventing, countering and reversing the loss of democratic quality across both authoritarian and democratic countries in the world. In particular, it aims to understand how, why and to what extent these activities are effective in promoting and defending democratic principles and fundamental rights beyond national and regional borders, highlighting the strategic roles of (sub-)national parliaments and IPIs in the effort to resist the expansion and consolidation of autocratization globally. The panel invites scientific contributions that offer original empirical case studies, comparative analyses or theoretical frameworks. Topics could include, but are not limited to:
• International activities of (sub-)national parliaments and IPIs in upholding democratic principles and fundamental rights worldwide to resist the expansion and consolidation of autocratization, as well as to strengthen these norms in democratic societies across all spheres, including the digital one.
• Formal and informal channels of inter-parliamentary cooperation aimed at resisting autocratization and strengthening democratic values and fundamental rights through collaboration in regional and international settings.
• Parliaments’ internal structures and actors accounting for an effective promotion of democratic values and fundamental rights across autocratic and democratic regimes worldwide.
• Challenges posed by different political systems to parliamentary engagement in upholding democratic norms and fundamental rights worldwide, including legislative-executive relations.
• Parliamentary responses at international and multilateral levels to the rise of populist regimes and movements challenging democratic principles and human rights respect across the globe.
• Comparative studies of (sub-)national and regional parliaments in resisting autocratization and promoting democratic norms and fundamental rights within their regions.